Thanks to FA-50 simulators, training Korean pilots of machines can be conducted in Poland, which reduces costs and accelerates the preparation of flight crews on this kind of aircraft. – The mapping of navigation systems, weapons, equipment, flight execution, procedures or operations in the compartment is 100% – the airmen assess.
Thanks to the fact that training at the FA-50 will take place in the country, the costs of this process will decrease. photograph by Rafał Samluk/Combat Camera Dorsz
– This is the first edition of the training of pilots of South Korean FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft, which is entirely implemented in the country. It was developed by our instructors on the basis of erstwhile experience and 2 editions of training conducted in South Korea, says Colonel Marcin Boruta, Deputy Commander of the method Service Group and Commander of the Support Squadron of the 23rd Tactical Aviation Base, while besides spokesperson of the base.
During the course, pilots prepare to fly machines in the FA-50GF version, i.e. those utilized by the Air Force of the Republic of Korea. 12 aircraft purchased by Poland in this configuration have been stationed in Minsk Mazowiecki since November 2023. The Polish army besides purchased 36 machines from Koreans in the FA-50PL variant, adapted to the requirements of Polish aviation. They will be equipped with improved avionics, a wider weapons kit, active radar and air refuelling system. These aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2025 and 2028. 2 FA-50 squadrons will be stationed in Minsk Mazowiecki and 1 in 21th Tactical Aviation Base in Swidwin.
Simulators in 2 versions
Training for FA-50 pilots was possible thanks to modern Korean aircraft simulators. The first 2 specified devices already operate in 23 BLT. – Both simulators designed for pilot training are adapted to the configuration of the FA-50GF aircraft and since the beginning of July the first of them have already flown on them – informed Colonel Pil. Adam Kalinowski, commander of the 23rd BLT during a press conference organized late at the FA-50 Simulator Training Centre.
As he added, erstwhile they scope Poland FA-50 in PL version, there will besides be 2 more training devices created for them. The next 2 will be at the base in Swidwin. Over time, after the planned FA-50GF upgrade to PL, all devices will be configured to train flights on this version. “We are planning to upgrade current simulators in the future in specified a way as to enable training of FA-50PL pilots, among others, from refuelling in the air and handling fresh types of weapons,” explains Colonel Kalinowski.
The transportation of simulators from the FA-50 maker Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) mill in Goseong, South Korea to Minsk Mazowiecki ended in February 2025. Since then, the installation and assembly of the equipment in the specially built FA-50 Simulator Training Centre building, as well as procedures for the reception and investigating of the equipment. Currently, 23 BLT has a full Mission Simulator (FMS) and an Operational Flight Trainer (OFT). “They disagree in how much and how faithfully they reflect the flight process,” explains Colonel Boruta. As the officer explains, OFT is little advanced and serves for first pilot training to fly on a Korean device and control from analog aircraft systems to digital. In turn, the FMS already reflects the physics of flight, the conditions in the cockpit and the imaging of the targeting and navigation system. It is on it that pilots practice complex missions, and it besides allows to carry out tasks in groups of respective aircraft. besides here FA-50 instructors refresh the flight habits, including in hard weather conditions.
Advanced Missions
Both simulator domes are equipped with a compartment identical to the aircraft surrounded by a semi-spherical screen and with specialized software. – It is 1 of the most modern simulators in Poland, the mapping is 100%, both navigation systems, weapons, equipment, as well as flight execution, procedures or operations in the compartment – emphasizes the pilot-instructor FA-50 (for safety reasons we do not supply his data) who has received training in South Korea and is now teaching subsequent airmen.
On FA-50 simulators, pilots can learn how to operate and fly on an aircraft, as well as train more advanced missions.
According to the instructor, FA-50 pilots can learn how to operate and fly this aircraft and practice basic maneuvers. They can besides improve with more advanced missions specified as complex combat tasks, group flights, avoiding anti-aircraft defense, combating air and ground targets. The device besides allows you to freely set flight parameters, including time of day, cloud ceiling, visibility or wind power. Pilots can besides train in various peculiar situations. – For example, any malfunctions and faults that may happen on a real flight. Thanks to training in the simulator, the pilot can train step-by-step the appropriate procedures, explains the commander of 23 BLT. It besides emphasizes that this device allows the pilot to prepare for combat flights in about 95%.
– We're conducting integrated training, which is why we're intertwining flights on the plane with the ones on the simulator. Depending on what experience the pilot has, we adapt the training program individually to the candidates – says the pilot instructor. The FA-50s are trained and fresh graduates Military Academy of Aviation, and experienced pilots who flew among others on MiG-29 fighters. – The simulator is an essential device for training flying personnel, but it is besides utilized by a fistful of technicians and engineers, due to the fact that they request to learn how to read information provided by onboard systems, which cannot be shown in any another way," said Colonel Boruta.
Thanks to simulators, training of flight and ground personnel to operate Korean machines will be possible in Poland, which will increase the ability to train FA-50 pilots and accelerate the preparation of flight crews on this kind of aircraft. Until now, Polish pilots on the FA-50 have learned this in South Korea under the supervision of their instructors. After returning to the country, they continued training in the home unit, and additionally had to have 2 weeks of training all six months in Korea. “Thanks to the fact that the training at the FA-50 will take place in the country, its costs will be reduced”, said Colonel Kalinowski. As Colonel Boruta adds, as regards the FA-50G version, the full training process, both method and flying personnel, will be held exclusively in Poland. In Korea, instructors will inactive gotta train for the PL version, which is not yet full designed.
Combat modes
– Simulators let us to become completely independent of sending pilots to training in Korea. Already a crucial part of the training process is taking place in Poland, and next year most of the training will be carried out here in Minsk Mazowiecki – summed up Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence, during a visit to 23 BLT in late August. It is all the more crucial that, as announced by the head of the MON, in 2026 FA-50 aircraft will begin to hold conflict stations over Poland. At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Korean machines are very well rated by pilots and ground personnel, and that the implementation of the plan to put these aircraft into service, their weapons and crew training has dramatically accelerated in fresh months.
